The Federal Government has issued unique Learner Identification Numbers to 1.9 million candidates registered for the 2026 West African Examinations Council and National Examinations Council examinations, launching a digital identity system designed to track every learner in Nigeria from classroom to career.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a transformational milestone aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. "This initiative marks a turning point in our education system. By assigning every learner a unique number, we are building a structure that supports each child's journey from classroom to career, while ensuring that no one is left behind," he stated.

Alausa explained that the first phase, which commenced with the current WAEC and NECO candidates, represents a significant step toward strengthening education data management and safeguarding the integrity of public examinations. Each number is structured to capture critical information including the student's state, local government area, school, and an individual student code, ensuring continuity of records even when learners relocate or transfer between schools.

The LIN, built on the Digitised National Education Management Information System, links students to verified schools nationwide and provides each learner with a permanent academic identity that enables seamless tracking of academic progression across all levels. Beyond examination integrity, the system will support the government in identifying out of school children, monitoring dropouts, and addressing learning gaps through targeted interventions.

The platform is fully digital, publicly accessible, and environmentally friendly. The ministry confirmed that the next phase will expand the initiative to cover all learners in both public and private schools across the country.

Alausa called on all stakeholders including schools, examination bodies, parents, and students to actively support the LIN system and comply with all related processes, reaffirming the government's commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to access education.